Just some comments about auction ending prices on ebay... A person can bid whatever they would like but it doesn't mean the item will actually be paid for. It's very easy to create a mule type of account and place high bids on items just to be a jerk, to increase bids on your own items (shill bidding) or just to raise the market price for an item so you can then sell yours at an inflated price. I've sold a lot of items on ebay and have had a few auctions where people placed bids without ever intending to pay for the item. I've also been a victim of shill bidding.
Sellers have to pay ebay a percentage of the final bid so some people like to get back at sellers by placing high bids. This was a major problem before ebay started handling non-paying bidder reports. The seller used to be stuck paying the fees whether or not the buyer paid for the item. Now a seller can report a non-paying bidder and at least get a refund for some of the listing fees.
qruthie (the 'q' is silent)
Sellers have to pay ebay a percentage of the final bid so some people like to get back at sellers by placing high bids. This was a major problem before ebay started handling non-paying bidder reports. The seller used to be stuck paying the fees whether or not the buyer paid for the item. Now a seller can report a non-paying bidder and at least get a refund for some of the listing fees.
qruthie (the 'q' is silent)
And I realize it is probably against VMK rules, but that will not stop people from doing it. 
Although $550 would get me some nice audio equipment in the real world, so I'll stick with that. But to each their own! Do what ever makes your heart happy. 
